Restoration, Clocks to New Homes, Synthetic Clock Oil & Bee’s Wax!

13Aug13

It’s been a slow few weeks for getting completed restoration work back, due mostly to holiday commitments of the various specialist restorers I use and the big backlogs of work that all GOOD restorers seem to “suffer” from, but gradually things are getting back to normal and work is being completed – the criteria being highest possible quality, not speed.
For movement restoration there follows a period of testing and calibration so even though the work has been executed to the highest possible standards and is working fine, I still can’t get my ( impatient ) hands on it.

Buying opportunities have been few and far between with plenty of clocks available but very, very few having that little bit extra in terms of quality, originality and condition.

When I explain to people that I buy less than 1 clock in 200 clocks available to me they think I’m joking until I explain that I cast a worldwide net and even so tend towards “picky” – rejecting clocks which I subsequently see offered at seemingly “bargain” prices later.

I’m promised a very good, early, month going movement by Abraham Cressner of Red Lyon Square ( London ) back from restoration next week, the 11″ square dial pointing to it being one of his earlier examples ( he’s recorded circa 1700 to circa 1710 ).The case is already restored.

This’ll be one to enjoy for a while before being offered for sale.

I’m desperate for a supply of Microtime H ( heavy ) synthetic clock oil in small bottles approximately 2 3/8th” ( 6 cms. ) tall by 5/8th” ( 1.7 cms. ) in diameter which I give away with every clock I sell.

The oil was produced by British Industrial Products of Potters Bar and I bought 100 small bottles from them before they closed down, thinking that It’d be sufficient for years to come.

I’m down to my last 9 wee bottles so things are looking pretty grim.

If anybody has a stock I’d be VERY keen to get my hands on WHATEVER is available. Even a few would be helpful.
Paradoxically, the beeswax polish which I also give away with every clock is no longer allowed to be sent ( airfreight ) with the clock because of it’s volatile turpentine component.

Of course it’s still freely available and I have stacks of it – which I’ll probably never ( now ) get through in my lifetime!

As many of you will know I collect early lantern clocks.

I recently bought two J. Windmills of London examples – one with original verge escapement and one with an extremely early ( and superb quality ) conversion to anchor.

They’re both of his slightly “later” production i.e. VERY early 18C rather than his late 17C, St.Martins Le Grand or Tower Street examples, with the converted one slightly earlier than the original verge escapement one.

I shall be looking to sell or p/ex the one with the early anchor conversion when it comes back from restoration.
I’ll also be “thinning out” my lantern clock collection with anything “late” or with a converted escapement becoming available for sale or p/ex.